This resting pose centers, calms, and soothes the brain, making it a therapeutic posture for relieving stress. When performed with the top and torso supported, it also can help relieve back and neck pain. Sometimes used as a counter-pose to the backbends, Child’s Pose restores balance and equanimity to the body.
Regular practice of Child’s pose also teaches conscious exploration of the breath. Because the front of the body releases onto the thighs, the frontal ribs and abdominal muscles become slightly compressed. This restriction allows for a deeper opening of the rear of the torso because the lungs expand behind the body. As this happens, keeping the breath slow, long, and steady allows for a new awareness of the breath’s path through the front and back of the body.
CHILD’S POSE FOR HIP STRETCHING Child’s Pose is a wonderful way to stretch the hip in a supported, gentle manner. There is no twisting or turning, no supporting yourself or stressing. Everything in your body is supposed to relax, fully supported by the legs and floor.
CHILD’S POSE FOR STRESS AND ANXIETY Child’s Pose is a quieting, relaxing pose where everything else falls away. You can close your eyes. Let your mind go blank. There is nothing to worry about and no pose to hold in a certain position. This is the perfect time to practice mindfulness.
CHILD’S POSE FOR BACK PAIN Child’s Pose is a very soft stretch of the back, just the rounding that naturally occurs as it moves from the hips to the neck. There is no additional stretch added to that position. That allows the stretch to be enjoyed by a wide variety of body shapes and sizes.
The focus is on the thighs; however, many yogis (people that practice yoga) have also reported that they find child’s pose is useful in relieving back, shoulder, neck and hip strain. You’ll start on your hands and knees, then slowly bring your hips back until your forehead is on the floor. Then you’ll arch your upper back and rotate your shoulders to stretch your lats and chest muscles. Generally speaking, you’re going to hold the pose for 10-12 breaths – which is around 3 minutes. This is a great rule of thumb to remember, when you’re doing child pose or any pose in your future yoga endeavors.
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